Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 48

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago, The Chapman Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1622

USA > Oregon > Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present > Part 48

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L. T. DAVIS. A fine old pioneer home, an exclusive agricultural and stock-raising enter- prise, and a forceful, progressive personality is embodied in the farm and character of L. T. Davis, than whom there is no more prominent and influential man in Yamhill county. Mr. Davis is a native of Andrew county, Mo., where he was born March 26, 1838, a son of Samuel and Mary (Brock) Davis from whom he in- herited the sterling traits which have brought about his success.

Samuel Davis was one of the best known of the pioneers of this county, and though his death occurred as long ago as February 27, 1875, his aptitude in grasping and using the opportunities by which he was surrounded in the west may well serve as an example to all aspirants to homes and a competency. Mr. Davis was born in New Jer- sey, December 13, 1804, and when a young man moved to Ohio, where he married the wife who proved a helpmate indeed, and who died January, 1872, three years before her husband, at the age of sixty-six. The couple moved to Missouri in 1836, and ten years later, in 1846, started across the plains with nine yoke of oxen and three wagons, on the way experiencing little difficulty with the Indians, nor was their health impaired by the deprivations to which they were subjected for six months. Mr. Davis settled near Dilley, Washington county for about a year, and then lived for a year near Olympia, Wash., returning to the farm near Dilley, for about six months. In 1848 he became identified with Yamhill county where he took up a donation claim of six hun- dred and forty acres, upon which he erected a log house for the temporary residence of his family. The following year, the well remem- bered '49, he went to California with his son Albertus, and for a year engaged in mining and

prospecting with considerable success. Return- ing with his little hoard to his family in Yam- hill county he engaged in farming and stock- raising, his material success and personal popu- larity increasing with the passing of the years. At one time he owned one thousand acres all in one body, and he made many improvements on his land, keeping at all time in touch with the progress of farming as understood in the. most advanced centers of activity.

In his capacity as an all around useful citizen, Samuel Davis exerted a highly moral influence in the community, and he was one of the pillars and the chief supporters, financially, of the old- school Baptist Church. At no time was he es- pecially connected with politics, and never worked for or accepted responsible official recognition. He was a stanch advocate of education, and as far as lay in his power gave his children every available advantage. Of the nine children born to himself and wife J. B. is deceased ; William B. is a farmer of Whitman county, Wash .; Martha A. is deceased; Albertus C. is deceased; and L. T., Sarah, Elizabeth, Rachel A. and May M. complete the number. All the daughters are de- ceased.

After leaving the parental home, at the age of twenty-one, L. T. Davis went to Boise City and became interested in mining and prospecting. He was educated in the public schools and at Mc- Minnville College, and in his youth devoted much more time to securing an education than is per- mitted to the busy life of the average farm-reared lad. He also experienced many pleasures among the half wild scenes of the country, among which was that of hunting. He has had many exciting adventures while enjoying this pastime, his ex- periences being principally with bears and Span- ish cattle. Many a time he has been driven to take refuge in a tree where he has remained a half day, one time especially recalled while haul- ing rails with an ox-team. One night he heard some sort of an animal prowling about the house and he went out with the intention of chasing it away, when he was met by a huge black bear which caused himself and dog to beat a hasty retreat. June 17, 1873, he married Margaret A. Hunsaker, a native of Oregon, and niece of Rev. A. J. Hunsaker, of McMinnville. Her parents crossed the plains in 1847. settling in Polk county. In the house where he now lives Mr. Davis and his wife started in to make a home on the old donation claim three and a half miles southwest of McMinnville, and here Mrs. Davis died in 1892. Four children were born to them, Mary E. and Ernest W., both of whom are deceased, and Lois V. and Naomi E., at home. In 1895 Mr. Davis married Clara J. Skinner, a native of Indiana, and daughter of O. B. and Lettitia Skin- ner, who came to Oregon in 1877. O. B. Skinner

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died in Yamhill county in 1897. Of the seven children born to himself and wife four are living, namely : Charles J .; Clara J .; Ida A., who spent four and a half years in India as missionary for the Baptist Church ; and Orrin C.

With the exception of three years spent in eastern Oregon and McMinnville Mr. Davis has lived continuously on his present farm, which is one of the finest in the county from the stand- point of productiveness and location. The home, on a hill commanding a view of the surrounding country, has all the charm of a life dating to the remote past, and although crude methods were employed in its construction, it is still stanch and whole, and capable of weathering many a storm, and resisting many a wintry blast. From farming Mr. Davis has branched out into other paths of activity, and some little credit is due him as an inventor. In 1866 his fertile brain in- vented a combined header and thresher, to which he sold the right in 1883, but which is still manu- factured and in use on the coast, and highly ap- preciated for its many merits. In 1865 Mr. Davis and his father incorporated the Blue Mountain Road, still run as a toll road, and one of the oldest public thoroughfares in this part of the state. The Davis farm' is the scene of extensive stock-raising, Red Poland-China and Berkshire hogs bringing a considerable revenue. One of the chief departments of interest on the farm is an orchard of thirty-five acres, containing about four thousand fruit trees, chiefly prunes, many of them bearing a fine grade of fruit.

A Prohibitionist in political preferment, Mr. Davis has refused all responsible and time-taking offices in the county, but has served as school clerk and supervisor for many years. He is one of the stanch supporters of the Baptist Church, is a deacon and clerk in the same and contributes generously of his means for its charities and general maintenance.

MRS. JOSEPHINE BOYLE is the owner of one of the most highly-cultivated farms of Polk county, owing to her capable manage- ment. She was born in Howard county, Mo., December 5. 1830. Her father, Col. Nathaniel Ford, was born in Buckingham county, Va., January 22, 1795, and her mother, Lucinda Embree, was a native of Clarke county, Ky., born November 18, 1799. Colonel Ford re- moved from Virginia to Kentucky, and thence to Missouri, locating in Howard county. For twenty years he was a member of the Missouri legislature, and also held the offices of sheriff and county clerk. In 1844 he left Howard county, and with ox teams made the journey to Oregon. In the company which made this trip were seventy-five men, of whom he was cap-

tain. They started April 15, and arrived De- cember 13, 1844. On reaching Oregon City Colonel Ford decided to spend the winter there with his family, and the next spring came to Rickreall, where he established the town, and was the first man to locate on the Rickreall stream, which was named by the Indians. He took a donation claim where the town of Rick- reall now stands, and resided there until his death, which occurred January 21, 1870. In politics he was a Democrat, and was a member of the Oregon legislature for several years. His wife died in January, 1874. In the early development of Polk county Colonel Ford took an active and prominent part. He was a natural leader among men and received the highest respect and esteem from all his friends and neighbors. Unto the colonel and his wife were born ten children, of whom four died in infancy and six accompanied their parents to Oregon. Mrs. Boyle is now the only surviving member. Her husband, Dr. J. W. Boyle, was born in Tazewell county, Va., April 15, 1815. His father, Abraham Boyle, was also a native of that county, and died in the Old Dominion about 1828.

Dr. J. W. Boyle removed from Virginia to Indiana, where he remained for a short time, thence removing to Fairfield, Iowa. Taking up the study of medicine he graduated from the medical school of St. Louis, Mo:, in the winter of 1843-4, after which he returned to Iowa, continuing there until 1845. He then came to Oregon, where he was the pioneer and only physician in Polk county. He followed his calling through many difficulties, often traveling one hundred miles to minister to a patient, and thus he became a welcome friend in the frontier homes of the pioneers, having a very extensive practice throughout Polk, Yamhill, Marion, Linn, Benton and Lane coun- ties. He possessed but limited means when he made his way to Oregon, and made his home with Colonel Ford, at Rickreall until 1846, when he married the colonel's daughter, Jo- sephine. He had taken a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres, and on his marriage took three hundred and twenty acres more, and the young couple took up their abode on the farm now owned by Ben Whiteaker. Dr. Boyle continued in the practice of medicine, and in 1859 removed with his family to Salem, where he engaged in practice until his death, which occurred July 6, 1864, when he was thrown from his carriage and killed. His loss was deeply mourned by his many friends and ac- quaintances, as he was known throughout the Willamette valley as an able physician and a kind and sympathizing friend. Unto Dr. Boyle and his wife were born seven children: Han-

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nah Tatum, at home; Mrs. Rena Childers, of Portland; James M., of Dawson City, Alaska ; William, at home, and Charles, at home, and two deceased. The farm where Mrs. Boyle re- sides consists of two hundred acres of rich and valuable land, which is at present operated by her sons. She is a member of the Christian Church and is well known in the community where she lives, her friends regarding her with esteem and affection because of her many ex- cellent traits of character.

HARRISON BUTERICK. It was not with- out a trial of the possibilites of his own land that Harrison Buterick ventured across the great ocean and continent that lie between his present home and the land of his birth, nor yet blind instinct that led him to the fertile fields of Ore- gon, ready intelligence and shrewd judgment making him quick to act upon the suggestion contained in the glowing reports of the west that came to him in his first residence in the United States. The birth of this representative farmer of Polk county, Ore., occurred in York- shire, England, November 12, 1839, being the son of William Buterick, of Lincolnshire, Eng- land, who passed the years of his life in the country of his birth, dying there in 1875, at sixty years of age. He married Cenia Harrison a native of England, who died in 1845. Of the five children born to these English parents Har- rison Buterick was next to the youngest, and was only six years old when he lost his mother. The education of his boyhood' years was exceedingly limited, on account of the burden of self-support that fell upon his shoulders at fourteen, engaging then among the farmers of the neighborhood, where he worked until he was twenty-one years old. At that age he shipped as fireman of a steamboat plying on the North sea, in which occupation he remained for eleven years, having risen to the position of second engineer two years previous to his resignation.

Acting upon the sober judgment of his mature manhood, Mr. Buterick started for the United States, and after a voyage of fourteen days he landed in New York City, going thence to Grant county, Wis. For eighteen months he found occupation among the farmers of that section, but could not be satisfied to remain there with the more brilliant opportunities of the west por- trayed in every report that reached him through the various channels connecting all farming sections of the country. His first venture into Oregon was into Yamhill county, where he settled near North Yamhill in the fall of 1872, and engaged in his chosen work of farming. Until 1889 he made Yamhill county his home, when he removed to Polk county, settling upon

his present farm of four hundred acres leased from G. Glandon. He is now actively interested in general farming, and has also a threshing machine, with which he gains no little profits.

Mr. Buterick married, in 1862, Jane Hutch- croft, also a native of Yorkshire, England, born in June, 1838, and of the union five children have been born, of whom William is a resident of McCoy; Sarah A. is the wife of S. A. Cane, of Sheridan; Elizabeth is the wife of R. L. White, of McCoy; James lives in McCoy; Han- nah is the wife of Melvin Bailey, of Bethel hills. Having gained an education through the constant application of the years of his manhood, Mr. Buterick sees the advantages accruing from the early training in the school room, and is actively interested in all educational movements of his vicinity. He is now director of the school in his district, and was road supervisor in Yam- hill county, serving in the interests of the Repub- lican party which he supports with his vote. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he officiates as trustee.

B. D. WELLS. A fact which elicits no sur- prise among his acquaintances and friends is that B. D. Wells is an enthusiastic admirer of the Willamette valley, and a firm believer in the pos- sibilities which the future may grant to the earn- est, patient laborer among the scenes of this re- sourceful country, for it was in this clime that . he experienced an almost wonderful recovery to health and strength when he had journeyed here hut to die, as he thought. He made the trip from California in the fall of 1899, driving through, having left the southern state with noth- ing but the outfit necessary for travel, and en- gaged on the route at haying and harvesting to make enough to sustain his family, though he was ill from the time of starting until they ar- rived three months later, lacking six days, in Stayton, Ore. There he located, broken in health and weary with the journey, expecting to hear his summons to "join the innumerable caravan," but instead he soon felt the change of returning health and the vigor and courage which it imparts, and into his once empty hands have come a lucrative and engrossing custom in his business of a veterinary surgeon, especial- ly noticeable since March 16, 1902, when he located in Albany, Linn county, and from which city his practice extends throughout Linn, Ben- ton and Marion counties, and also into Lane and Polk counties.

Dr. Wells was born in Boston, Erie county, N. Y., June 8, 1852, the son of Major Wells, also a native of that state, and who died there after a successful career in the furniture busi-

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ness. The mother was Sarah Olin in maiden- hood, also a native of New York state, and she now makes her home in Holland, Erie county, of the same state. She was the mother of five children, four of whom are now living, the third oldest being Dr. Wells, of this review. He was reared principally in Erie county, his education received through the medium of the public schools. In early youth he learned the carpen- ter trade, but met with an accident which pre- vented the continuance of the work. He then entered, in 1876, a branch school of Toronto Veterinary College, located in Buffalo, N. Y., and which was known as Buffalo Branch of Toronto Veterinary College, where he remained over twoyears. About this time he was inca- pacitated by illness and compelled to return home, and when able physically he began the practice of his profession in Holland, a city of his native county, from which he later re- moved to Wellington, Ohio, and from there lo- cated in Barton county, Kans., where he con- tinued his work as a veterinary surgeon. Two years later, in 1888, he removed to Riverside, Cal., and there combined horticultural pursuits with his profession, and after eleven years' resi- dence in Corona and Long Beach, he decided to leave for the northwest, and it was then the memorable trip was made to Oregon. In his first location of Stayton Dr. Wells remained two years, after which he sought a home in Albany, which residence, though of short duration, has made him many friends and a successful busi- ness.

The marriage of Dr. Wells occurred in Well- ington, Ohio, Miss Martha Dyer, a native of that city, becoming his wife, and of the union one child, Garnett, has been born. In his fraternal relations Dr. Wells affiliates with the Masons, having been made a member of this order in Wellington, Ohio, where he still belongs, and politically he casts his ballot with the Republican party. Along the lines of his profession he is deeply interested, as a member of the State Vet- erinary Association utilizing every opportunity to excel in his chosen work. Dr. Wells has had many obstacles to contend with in his efforts to earn a livelihood, but he has allowed nothing to discourage him or make him lose faith in his own ultimate victory, and he owes his success to indefatigable energy and effort, the qualities which, in bringing personal success, also make the most worthy citizens.

EDWARD A. PIERCE, M. D. Though a comparatively brief period has passed since the establishment of Dr. E. A. Pierce in Oregonian fields, the time has been sufficient for him to demonstrate the splendid talent which is his in

the practice of the most noble of professions, and to number him among the successful physi- cians of the state. Through a tour which he made of the west in 1894 the doctor was enabled to arrive at a correct estimate of the advantages held out to the man of energy and talent, and after a year's location in Portland he came to Salem, Marion county, in 1896, and has since made this his home and the scene of his activities.

The Pierce family is one of those whose lin- eage dates to the foundations of this country, on the paternal side being allied with the house which produced a president, and on the maternal side having ancestors among the passengers of the Mayflower. The paternal grandfather, Judah Pierce, was a native of Massachusetts and in the militia of that state acted as colonel, and after his removal to Truxton, Cortland county, N. Y., was appointed to the position of colonel. His son, Ethan A., the father of Dr. Pierce, was born in New York state, and spent his entire life there as a farmer, with the exception of two years in California, as a gold hunter of 1849, going by way of the Isthmus and bringing back with him the substantial fruits of his efforts. He married Harriet A. Geer, a native of Con- necticut, and the representative of a prominent family of that state, her father, Moses T. Geer, and her mother, Hannah Phelps Dennison, both owing their nativity to that section and tracing their ancestry to a proud English birth. Both father and mother have since passed to their reward, the death of the latter occurring in 1860. Of the eight children born into this family four daughters and two sons are now living, the youngest being Dr. E. A. Pierce, born in Trux- ton, Cortland county, N. Y., April 3, 1855.

Dr. Pierce was reared upon his father's farm and trained to a thorough agricultural life, which though he has since departed from it, has been of no little benefit in the establishment of habits of energy, industry and the practical application of every rule which has brought about the suc- cess of his own career. Until seventeen years old he attended the district school in the pur- suit of an education, entering then the Cortland Normal School. where he took a business course of two years. He also attended Homer Acad- emy at different times from the age of eighteen until he had attained his majority, and engaged in the study of medicine even while teaching In 1876 he became employed in his brother's store at Center Lisle, Broome county, N. Y., where he had charge of the drug department and was later appointed hospital steward of the Broome county almshouse, which position he also held in the insane asylum. This latter position was maintained from 1880 until 1885, during which time he studied medicine under the tutelage of Dr. C. B. Richards, who was in charge of the

J. W. Weaver alice & Suaves

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insane ward, and entered and graduated March 10, 1885, from the medical department of the University of New York City. The class num- bered two hundred students, and the one selected for grand marshal was Dr. Pierce, the com- mencement exercises being held in the Academy of Music, with Gilmore's band discoursing music to the six thousand people present.

After his graduation Dr. Pierce located in Binghamton, Broome county, and opened an of- fice wherein he continued successfully for ten years, identifying himself with many public movements of the city and making his voice heard in all matters of progression. The sec- ond year of his residence there he became jail physician and the third year was elected coroner, which latter position he maintained for six years, and during the last year acted as health commis- sioner and was also on the staff of the city hos- pital. While a resident of Binghamton, in com- pany with Dr. C. W. Ingraham, he purchased Mt. Prospect medical institute for treatment of tuberculosis. Having married an Oregonian the doctor came west in 1894 to visit the country and while here became impressed with the oppor- tunities and decided to locate permanently. In September, 1895, he settled in Portland after a resignation of his eastern positions, and in the spring of the following year came to Salem, where he has since engaged in the general prac- tice of medicine and given the power and pur- pose of his life to the advancement of worthy and progressive movements in his adopted com- munity. In exchange for various positions in his eastern home, among them being that of the presidency of the Broome County Medical So- ciety, presidency of Binghamton Medical Acad- emy, member of the New York Medical Society, of which he is now an honorary member, he has accepted those of equal importance in the Will- amette valley, as member of the Oregon State Medical Society, Marion County Medical So- ciety, occupying the chair of physical diagnosis and diseases of the chest, and that of lecturer on hygiene of the Nurses' Training School and the Sanitarium, and is also on the staff of the city hospital of Salem. Another position which he resigned to come to Oregon was that of as- sistant surgeon of the Sixth Battery, New York National Guards, to which he was commissioned by Gov. D. B. Hill, holding the rank of first lieutenant until 1895. In February, 1903. he was appointed physician to the Indian Training School at Chewawa, and one of the commissioners of the State Board of Health April 4. 1893.

The marriage of Dr. Pierce occurred in Bing- hamton and united him with Miss Grace Par- rish, a native daughter of Oregon, having been born in Salem in 1872, but was then in the cast studying music, under Professor Scharwenka.

Previous to this she had received the best in- struction that the west afforded both in classical and musical courses, having been educated in Willamette University, Mills College, of Oakland, Cal., and Anna Wright Seminary, of Tacoma, Wash., in the latter institution graduating in music. The father of Mrs. Pierce was the Rev. Josiah L. Parrish, one of Oregon's oldest and most noted pioneers, and one whose labors in behalf of the advancement of the western cause lifted him to a prominence among his fellow men. A sketch of the life of this venerable pioneer is given on another page of this work. Not alone prominent in the pursuit of his pro- fession, Dr. Pierce has allied himself with various fraternal orders and social clubs, having been made a Mason in Otseningo Lodge, Binghamp- ton, N. Y., and there rising to the degree of Royal Arch Mason and Knight Templar, and is now allied with Demolay Commandery of Salem, the Consistory of Portland, and Al Kader Temple, N. M. S. He is also identified with the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks and Woodmen of the World. He is a member of the Salem Commercial Club, in which he acts as vice-presi- dent, and is a member of the Illihee Club. Po- litically he is a Republican.

SAMUEL W. WEAVER, M. D. With an extended reputation in the practice of his pro- fession, Dr. Weaver's earnest study and wide experience have given him a knowledge and skill that have gained for him the confidence and esteem of his many patrons, and won for him a fine position among the leading prac- titioners of Marion county. He is a Pennsyl- vanian by birth, having been born in Canons- burg January 9, 1853, a son of Thomas Weaver. His paternal grandfather, John Weaver, was born, lived and died in Canons- burg, Pa., being a well-known contractor and builder, and a prosperous farmer. He married Miss Mary McMillen, a daughter of Rev. John and Catherine (Brown) McMillen, the former a noted Presbyterian divine, and the founder of the first Latin school established west of the Allegheny mountains. This school, opened near Canonsburg in 1775. was afterwards called Jefferson College, later being merged in- to the Washington and Jefferson College.

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Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 48

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago, The Chapman Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1622

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago, The Chapman Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1622